Auburn Tigers head coach Gus Malzahn emphasized on Saturday that he wants to continue coaching the SEC West champions amid rumors that he could leave for the Arkansas Razorbacks. 

"We have worked very hard to create something here. We have a great foundation for the future," Malzahn told ESPN.com's Ryan McGee following the Tigers' 28-7 loss to Georgia in the SEC Championship Game. "I'm the head coach at Auburn and I'm looking forward to seeing where this can go, what we've built, in the future. I want to see that through, personally.

"I'm happy at Auburn. I think the best is yet to come."

Citing a source, SEC Country's Trent Shadid reported the Razorbacks are "expected" to make Malzahn an offer to take over for Bret Bielema in the aftermath of the SEC title game. 

Dennis Dodd of CBSSports.com reported Sunday morning that "sources close to Malzahn here over the weekend indicated that a possible departure to Arkansas is realistic though not necessarily a done deal."

Dodd continued:

"'Arkansas is dead serious,' said a different source close to the situation. 'They want him in the worst way."

One figure tossed around, according to the source, $50 million for seven years. (For context, Jimbo Fisher just received $75 million over 10 from Texas A&M.)

Malzahn, those sources say, is frustrated at the always-shifting perceptions of him at Auburn." 

Shadid added that if the Razorbacks strike out in their pursuit of Malzahn, they "will immediately shift focus to Memphis coach Mike Norvell."

Malzahn, 52, previously served as the Razorbacks' offensive coordinator in 2006. He also has deep ties to the area after he coached the Arkansas State Red Wolves to a 9-3 record and Sun Belt Conference title in 2012. 

Since then, Malzahn has captained Auburn to a 65-46 mark and a BCS Championship Game appearance to cap off a fruitful 2013 campaign.